Integrated care is a unique feature of our approach at Metta. Unlike most wellness facilities, our massage therapists and the majority of our yoga practitioners share in the ongoing vision and the day-to-day operation of the Clinic and take pride in making your time at Metta a positive experience.
The inherent synergy between massage and yoga inspire staff to consult with one another on a regular basis and share expertise with the goal of giving you the best care possible.
Our practitioners each bring their unique strengths and talents to the care they extend to you.
Massage Therapists & Yoga Teachers
Karina Ackert, RMT
Founder/Clinic DirectorRegistered Massage Therapist & Yoga Teacher
Karina practices massage therapy and therapeutic yoga full time at Metta Massage & Yoga Clinic. She has been teaching yoga for over 18 years, and has been a registered massage therapist for 16 years. Karina has specialized training in Yoga for Children, Recovery Yoga... Read full bio
Leona Alexander, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist & Therapeutic Yoga TeacherLeona has been a Registered Massage Therapist for over 20 years, and has been teaching yoga for the past 8 years. Interweaving principles of mindfulness based stress reduction with a deep understanding of physical movement and anatomy, Leona guides clients to be more at ease with the moment and facilitates... Read full bio
Pamela Baillie, RMT
Registered Massage TherapistPamela joins the Metta team with a Master’s degree in Psychology and a career in mental health. This background gives her keen insight into the mind-body relationship. Through her research, she became acutely aware of he importance of finding ways to diffuse the negative impact of stress and believes Massage Therapy is a good choice... Read full bio
Lynne Cardinal
Yoga TeacherLynne has been teaching and giving lectures and seminars on subjects related to Stress Management, Yoga, Relaxation and Meditation for over 30 years in Canada, Europe and India. She studied Eastern Philosophy from the International Meditation Institute in the Himalayas from where she received a Ph.D. in Eastern Philosophy. Read full bio
Lori Chamberland
Yoga Teacher & ReflexologistLori specializes in developing and delivering education-based classes that help people understand how yoga helps to reverse the negative impact of chronic stress on their mind, body and overall health. Her classes empower people to use practical tools such as conscious breathing, yoga postures and the power of positive thought to relieve stress... Read full bio
Craig Curran, RMT
Registered Massage TherapistAs a Massage Therapist, Craig takes a particular interest in putting together the puzzle pieces of myofascial pain and dysfunction. Treating a variety of clients including athletes, prenatal clients, people with chronic pain and other injuries, Craig offers a knowledgeable and compassionate approach to massage therapy treatment. Read full bio
Swami Devaprasad
Master Yoga TeacherSwami Devaprasad has been teaching yoga for over 30 years in India, Germany and Canada. He has received university degrees in Yoga Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, and has published several books on the practice of yoga and healthy lifestyle, most recently "Deva Yoga”. Read full bio
Khoa Do, RMT
Registered Massage TherapistAs a Registered Massage Therapist since 2006, Khoa brings a keen interest in A.R.T. Release Therapy, clinical assessment skills and therapeutic treatments to his practice at Metta. Khoa is available for Massage therapy bookings at Metta on Saturdays and Sundays... Read full bio
Karen Facey, RMT
Registered Massage TherapistKaren has a background in Traditional Thai Yoga Massage, Reiki energy therapy and recently graduated as a Registered Massage Therapist. We welcome Karen to the Metta team!... Read full bio
Michael Fahey
Therapeutic Yoga TeacherMichael has been a Yoga practitioner for over forty years and has taught Hatha, Restorative and Yoga Ball for the past twenty years. During his three trips to India, starting in 1978, he has studied Vedanta philosophy, meditation and Kirtan (devotional singing). Michael has recently moved to Ottawa from Nova Scotia... Read full bio
Angele Givogue, RMT
Registered Massage TherapistAngele learned the value of hands-on healing techniques at an early age and later pursued a formal education in Massage Therapy. With a keen interest in blending deep tissue, hot stone and energy bodywork, Angele’s friendly disposition and down-to-earth spirituality make her sessions therapeutic at all levels of being... Read full bio
Samer Hassan
Medical Qi Gong Teacher & Private Healing SessionsSamer Hassan has dedicated most of his life to the study of Martial arts, wellness and healing. He has studied many kinds of martial arts graduating with a Masters degree from the Physical Education College in China where he specialized in Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Read full bio
Angela Hayward, RMT
Registered Massage TherapistWith 3 years of clinical experience as a Massage Therapist, Angela brings with her a willingness to explore challenges and is at her best when using her critical thinking to assess a client's condition. Angela has seen great results through Massage Therapy in particular with conditions such as TMJ syndrome, nerve lesions... Read full bio
Sheila Higgins-Rao
Prenatal Yoga TeacherSheila has been studying and practicing yoga for over ten years and has been a teacher of Hatha Yoga for five years. She completed training in prenatal yoga teaching while carrying her first child and is now focusing her teaching on yoga for expectant mothers. Read full bio
Devin Johnstone
Thai Massage Practitioner & Yoga TeacherDevin has been teaching yoga, practicing Thai Massage and offering professional Thai Massage certification training courses for over 7 years. A passionate student of qi gong, tai chi, yoga and meditation, Devin combines his knowledge of eastern and western healing methods to his Thai Massage and therapeutic Private Yoga practice with compassion and precision.... Read full bio
Tanja Kisslinger
Clinic ManagerHolistic Therapist & Reiki Master
Tanja's dedication to health and healing is evident in both her journey as an advocate for human rights working with non-profit organizations around the globe, and as an eternal student of the healing arts focused on transforming life experiences into healing and growth... Read full bio
Christine Liebregts, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist & Yoga TeacherChristine has over 10 years experience as a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario and Alberta. She is also a certified yoga teacher. Most recently from Lake Louise, Alberta, Christine brings to Metta an integrated massage practice of hot stone, spa applications and therapeutic treatment to her massage therapy practice... Read full bio
Sitia Portielje
Client Care Representative & Yoga TeacherSitia was drawn to yoga 7 years ago and obtained her yoga teacher training in Thailand. Sitia's focus in teaching is to create a spiritual practice with an emphasis on awareness and mindfulness through breath. Through alignment of the physical body there is a centering that she likes to bring to the class... Read full bio
Jennie Stratton
Client Care Representative & Yoga TeacherA graduate of the University of Ottawa’s fine arts program and Rama Lotus’ Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, Jennie is very excited to join the team at Metta! With the understanding that global peace begins in our own backyards, Jennie chose a path teaching yoga and looks forward to sharing it with others. Read full bio
Lushan Silva
Thai Massage PractitionerLushan has studied with masters in his home country of Sri Lanka, as well as Chiang Mai, Thailand, over the past decade to become a Traditional Thai Therapeutic Bodyworker. His unique skills, endless energy and inspired integrity are a reflection of his hope to bring balance to people’s lives... Read full bio
Paula Pyne
Yoga TeacherPaula has been practicing yoga for nearly a decade. She is grateful for the influence of so many revered teachers who have inspired her evolution and growth. In her yoga practice, Paula employs numerous aspects of Hatha Yoga with a focus on meditation and asanas that connect the mind-body-spirit through the breath... Read full bio
